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June 22, 2014

Let's go on a vintage honeymoon to Niagara Falls

The last and final destination in our four-part series this year (the first three saw us traversing the globe to Italy, Hawaii, and Ireland, respectively) is - and has been for many decades now - a place whose name is as good as synonymous with the word honeymoon: Niagara Falls.

It's only fitting, I can't help but think, that this delightful series of travel posts caps off with a location in my own home country, whereas the first was devoted to Tony's (Italy) and the third, coincidentally, was the location (Ireland) where we spent the first couple of years of our life together as husband and wife.

When you think of Niagara Falls, what comes to mind first? For many it will be the majestic and incredibly powerful falls themselves, a series of three waterfalls (Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls) located on the Niagara River that gush across the international border that divides Ontario, Canada and New York, USA. Up here in Canada, the iconic waterfalls that we get to enjoy best of all is Horseshoe Falls, with the other two being on the US side of things.

This trio of breathtaking waterfalls are situational 75 miles (121 km) south-southeast of Toronto and 17 miles (27 km) north-northwest of Buffalo, New York, and thunder down between the twin cities of Niagara Falls, Ontario and Niagara Falls, New York.

The falls are located 17 miles (27 km) north-northwest of Buffalo, New York and 75 miles (121 km) south-southeast of Toronto, between the twin cities of Niagara Falls, Ontario, and Niagara Falls, New York. Both sides of the border offer up sublime views and experiences of the Falls, but for the sake of simplicity and in the spirit of my own country, this post will focus primarily on Niagara Falls, Ontario here in Canada, which houses Horseshoe Falls, the largest of the three falls. With a height of approximately 173 feet (53 metres) and a width of some 2,600 feet (790 meters), this makes it the largest waterfall in North America.

As Ontario is one of the oldest Canadian provinces to have been inhabited by European settlers, Niagara Falls has been inhabited by both Europeans and Americans since before the American Revolution, which saw a good deal of United Empire Loyalists hop over the border and establish new lives in Canada, which was under British Rule (and today retains strong ties to the United Kingdom, with Canada currently being a federal parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy with the Queen as our official, non-political, head of State)

It's no surprise though, regardless of the political turmoil that helped foster the town's early growth that a settlement would spring up around such a stunning location and that it wouldn't take long for the first suspension bridge (which was located where the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge stands nowadays), opened in 1848, to span its mighty width. A mere five years after its creation, the Great Western Railway wound its way to Niagara Falls via Hamilton, Ontario and was linked to the Suspension Bridge, which made travel and transport to and the from this southerly Ontario destination considerably easier and, it could be argued, was the beginning of its life as one of the most popular and iconic tourist destinations in not only North America, but the whole, wide world itself.

Though, it should be noted, that the area had already been visited by travelers from various parts of the world prior to that, including Napoleon Bonparte's brother, Jérôme, who saw the falls with his bride in the early 1800s, making them one of the first known couples to specifically visit Niagara Falls as part of their honeymoon travels.

{Victorian artist Albert Bierstadt's beautiful oil painting called Falls of Niagara from Below, is one of many views of the falls that artists have immortalized on canvas over the past two centuries.}

Various theories account for the origin of the name of Niagara Falls, with some believing it is an Iroquoian word, others Mohawk, but what is commonly accepted amongst all is that is indeed derived from one of the local First Nations/Native American tribes who inhabited this beautiful area of Ontario long before the first Europeans or American settlers foot here. And when, my fellow history buffs might be wondering, did that happen? Though there too various theories and possible dates abound, it's well known that the famous French explorer Samuel de Champlain visited the area as early as 1604 and that members of his party are known to have reported back to him about the stunning waterfalls, which he in turn wrote about in his personal journals. Therefore he and his men may have had the honour of being the first non-indigenous people to behold the mighty falls.

Interestingly, two neighbouring areas were, in the 1800s, known as the Town of Niagara Falls and the Village of Niagara Falls (originally known by settlers as Drummondville), with an amalgamation transpiring to create the City of Niagara Falls in 1904 (the population of which was further bolsters in 1963 when the adjacent town of Stamford joined the city). For well over a century now, the area has been one of the largest sources of hydroelectric power to be found anywhere on the continent, which resulted in numerous manufacturing industries flocking to Niagara Falls, as well as tourists from near and far alike, who came to gaze upon the stunning waterfalls on both sides of the Canadian-US border.

Following the First World War, as cars made traveling to and from the falls even more accessible (and affordable), the tourism industry in the area took off further and it wasn't long at all before this corner of Ontario was well established as one of the absolute most popular destinations for honeymooners, who flocked from across the province, country, continent and sometimes even further afield to behold the amazing waterfalls on the border of Canada and America shortly after tying the knot.

{A Victorian photograph of a woman named Maria Spelterina who at the age of 23 in 1867 traversed the Niagara Gorge by tightrope (four times), complete with buckets on her feet for extra showmanship one time and while blindfolded another, successfully. She remains to this day, the only lady to have made it across the falls on a tightrope (numerous men have done so as well).}

The falls have long enticed tourists of all sorts - not just honeymooners - to their grandeur and beauty, as well as prompted some - to put it gently - brave souls who have taken it upon themselves to jump into, go over in a barrel (or other enclosure), walk a tightrope across, swim the length of, or otherwise do daring and potentially deadly things pertaining to the falls. The first known person to jump into the falls was a man named Sam Patch, who billed himself as the Yankee Leapster. He intentionally plunged into the falls in 1829, thankfully survived, and kicked off a long procession (especially during the 1800s and early 1900s) of daredevils who attempted to follow his lead (not all of whom survived their risky endeavors, which, is should be noted, are illegal to attempt and can be met with fines and penalties on both sides of the border). These days nearly all who wish to see Niagara Falls up close and personal right at water level do so via the famous Maid of the Mist boat.

In 1953 the falls got a further boast in popularity, resulting in increased tourism, when Hollywood leading lady Marilyn Monroe stared alongside Joseph Cotten in a movie set in and called, quite simple, Niagara. The falls have appeared in numerous other movies, TV shows, documentaries, books, and artist's works, as well as on countless postcards and family photographs over the decades. Plus its fair to say that they are truly amongst Canada's most beloved and well known tourist attractions and natural wonders alike.

Interestingly, Niagara falls is one of just two out of the four vintage honeymoon destinations in this series that I've had the great pleasure of seeing firsthand. Though I've only been to Niagara once, and it was in the absolute dead of winter in 2007, during a major snowstorm with temperatures that dropped down around -30C (-22F), while Tony was presenting at a conference there, that trip remains vivid and much loved in my mind. I'd welcome the chance to return again anytime - ideally during the warmer months, so that I could see and do more outdoor events (including taking a ride on the Maid of the Mist) and capturing scads of photographs.

Unlike the other three locations (Italy, Hawaii, and Ireland) in our vintage honeymoon series, Niagara Falls is neither a country nor a state, but instead a city and while certain attractions there have been in place for decades now, others are decidedly newer. Having long catered to the tourists who flock to the falls, Niagara is chock-a-block with exciting things to do, see, eat, and experience, ten of which are highlighted below.

They are by no means the only things to do while there, and it's well worth planning to spend at least a weekend, if not a few days longer, in the area to marvel at the natural wonders, immense local history, exciting modern attractions, various events throughout the year, and other great going ons while in that famous neck of the Canadian woods.

Have your photo taken in front of the falls to capture the memory of your trip forever

{To learn more about a specific image above or anywhere in this post, please click on it to be taken to its respective source.}

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While I saw Niagara Falls in the middle of a very snowy winter, far more people opt to visit it during the spring, summer and fall, and as those are also popular times of the year for honeymoons to take place in general, the following vintage clothing ideas to pack with you on your travels are geared towards the toastier months of the year.

Should you find yourself, as I did, there in the depth of winter however, make sure you pack along a very heavy coat or jacket, plenty of warm clothing (worn in layers), scarves, hats or toques, gloves, proper winter footwear and perhaps even a pair of long johns for extra heat, because, believe me, you're going to need it if you're in Canada during the winter, especially near the icy cold falls!

{An event as fabulous as your honeymoon calls for a hat that is every bit as sensational and this gorgeous 1940s navy blue straw hat with red millinery poppies fits that bill to a tee. $75.00 from Lucky Dry Goods.}

{Don't let the wind and humidity of southern Ontario do a number on your lips (which you'll want to ensure stay kissable-y soft on your honeymoon for sure!). Instead use this lovely handmade Sweet Maple Lip Balm to keep them soft, subtle and scented with one of Canada's most famous products: maple syrup. $3.00 for a 0.15 ounce tube from Ginger and Waldo.}

{Whenever I travel, I love to - if possible - bring along accessories that relate directly to my destination, so if the falls were on the horizon, I'd be mighty tempted by this lovely vintage Niagara souvenir bracelet featuring that most iconic of Canadian images, the maple leaf. $13.00 from Dawn of the Seventies.}

{Sport one of Canada's national colours, red, on your hands and look all the more glam when you slip on these beautiful vintage red gloves that feature a subtle, alluring moiré silk-like pattern to them. Fits approximately a glove size 7 or 7.5 hand. $14.00 from Chronically Vintage on Etsy.}

{Pick up this absolutely lovely (unused) vintage Niagara Falls souvenir photo album to tuck treasures like postcards and brochures that you pick up on travels into once you get home (or simply as a great vintage reminder of your special honeymoon trip). $9.99 from Eclectic Buffalo Girl.}

{Tuck your daily essentials into this vivid, timelessly pretty woven red vintage cello handbag to keep your hands free while you're out and about exploring the many attractions of Niagara Falls. On sale at the time of writing for $28.80 from JL Vintage.}

{Picture perfect pretty 1940s navy blue pumps are every bit as versatile as black or brown shoes, yet celebrate the spirit of the abundant water of the falls more than either of those hues. These vintage footwear gems fit a modern size 9 foot and are $76.66 From Eve With Love.}

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Canada is nothing short of an amazing country with a vastly rich history and an incredible array of things to do and see, though as I've delved into here over the years in various posts (including most recently in The real truth behind 15 Canadian stereotypes), many outside of its expansive borders, even our lovely neighbours to the south in America, aren't overly familiar with this great land and its engaging history, nor its present day attractions.

Regardless of it you know next to nothing about Canada, are a foremost expert on all things Canuck, or fall somewhere in between, there's always oodles more to learn and appreciate about this breathtaking country. The following selection of books, some are specific to Niagara Falls and/or Ontario, others pertain to Canada in general, and all make for some truly excellent and informative reading, no matter if you're headed to see the falls anytime soon or not.

Pick up a few from Amazon, your local bookstore, the library, or even while traveling through Canada itself, pour yourself a glass of ice wine, SunRype Apple juice, or a frosty much of beer (all Canadian specialties), and settle in for some engaging reading about this mighty and magnificent country.

There are few places in the breadth and scope of the world that call to mind thoughts of happy honeymooners beginning their lives as husband and wife together quite like Niagara Falls. In fact, the city is so well known for loving its "lovers" that every couple who honeymoons there and wishes to receive one, has been able to pick up an official Niagara Falls honeymoon certificate signed by the Mayor from the Niagara Falls Visitor Bureau since 1949 (which also includes a free pass to many local attractions).

Imposing in scale, yet intimate in appeal, the falls have beckoned newlyweds and sightseers, as well as those who opted to inhabit the area, to their water soaked shores for centuries now and will, I highly suspect, always continue to do so. They are truly a humbling and incredible sight to behold in person. Their torrent of water pouring endlessly into the gorge below, lit up at night by beautiful (often colourful) lights, easy to cross on the Maid of the Mist, and more than incredible enough to inspire each and every person who sees them in a myriad of different ways.

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It has been nothing short of a sincere honour to bring you this series of vintage honeymoon travel destination posts over the past four months. I've learned more about each of these destinations myself and hope you have as well, in addition to potentially being inspired to hop on a plane, train or in your car, as the case may be, to see (or revisit) one of these diverse, fantastic areas of the world yourself.

Regardless of where you honeymoon, certain elements remain the same across time and location: a new couple coming together to celebrate their union while traveling away from home, with dreams and plans aplenty swirling through their heads as take in the local sights, scenes and activities. Just as with a wedding itself, one doesn't have to spend a small (or large) fortune on their honeymoon. It can be something as simple as a weekend getaway to another area in your own state or province, or as a grand as an around the world tour. Ultimately, only you and your partner know what's best for you, your budget, tastes, mood and circumstances in general.

Some of us, myself included as I touched on in the first post of this series, never went on a honeymoon. The great thing though there those of us who haven't yet, can potentially do so at any point in time. Yes, traditionally a honeymoon follows a wedding, but there's no law that says it has to. Since starting this series, and in general, I've heard firsthand accounts of couples who took their honeymoon five, ten, twenty, even forty years or more after they tied the knot. I fully belief that Tony and I will embark on ours one day down the road and who knows, it might even be to one of the four destinations highlighted in this vintage travel filled series. Only time will tell, but I certainly wouldn't say no to any of them - especially Italy!

27 comments:

I think this has been my favorite post of the series. Like you, I did not get a "honeymoon" because my husband's then employer would not let him take any time off. (He even had to work half a day, the day of the wedding!!!), so we only had the weekend together before it was back at work for him. We have been married for 21 years, so we are planning a "honeymoon" for our 25th and this is the one place I would love to see! And of course, I would want to see it vintage style! Thanks for the great post and series.

Thanks for the lovely photos and memorabilia of Niagara Falls. We visited a few years ago, and later I saw a photo of Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan standing by the wall overlooking the falls, from the early 1900s. It made me realize how many people over the years have looked at and been amazed at the falls just as we were.One thing, though: I am American and not so up on Canadian history, but I don't think Canada has been under British rule for a number of years.

Hello Charlene, thank you for your lovely comment. As I stood and piered out at the falls during the middle of a snowstorm, I too was filled with thoughts of just how many others had marveled at their wondrousness over the centuries, too. I didn't know that Helen and Annie had been there. How fantastic! I wonder, very much, what the experience was like for each of them.

You know, I wondered if anyone would call me out, so to speak, on my phrasing of that line and almost changed it about ten times before I scheduled my post. You're spot on. Up until the time of Confederation in 1867, we were under British (and in areas, at times, French) rule. After Confederation, the Dominion of Canada was still considered part of the British Empire until 1931, if memory serves me right, at which a statute called The Statute of Westminster granted Canada a great deal more sovereignty on the the legislative front. It wasn't however until 1982, just two years before I was born, that the United Kingdom gave Canada full control over constitutional laws as well and thus ended our being under what some might have still called British Rule.

Today we are a federal parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy with the Queen as our official (non-political) head of state, and it was for the sake of the latter, that I phrased things as I did, but it could be misleading, I agree, and will amend that line right now.

What a grand ending to a magnificent series!I applause you, Jessica, for taking all of us on a journey of great places, good fashion and glamour! It's planned to every detail, it's such a wonderful idea - and, mind you, I haven't missed the "Anne from green gables" cookbook - the one I'd love to have.

Thank you for giving us all such a lovely experience. It is as if we all went along. :)

Niagara falls provides a fantastic show and I am not surprised that is the place where many newmarried couples go to enjoy a wonderful honey moon!! Unfortunately I haven't seen them but I can remember the beautiful M.Monroe's movie...

Wow - such a great post that really covered everything. I have been to Niagara three times (although I only live an hour away) and I have never 'done' it as in-depth as you have done! Great post that covers everything as well as some extras - I love that Niagara Falls bracelet!

The things we take for granted in our own back yards. The Falls are only a 2 1/2 drive for us and yet I haven't been there in years. I I think it's time to revisit Naigara Falls and all it has to offer.

Niagara Falls is one of my favourite destinations. It's rather telling that (coming from a non-traditional vacation type of family) I've been there three times! I'll gladly visit a fourth time (and beyond) but I need to renew my passport first or I'll be stuck on our side of the border, and where's the fun in that? :DI greatly hope you get your opportunity to visit the falls when the weather is brilliant and the air is a bit warmer, though I'm sure winter there is not without its charms. I've been when it's still cold, but not middle of winter weather, more like very VERY early spring.

And what a book list! I'm looking forward to tracking down some of those titles. That sounds like a better use of my time than swooning over those blue shoes. Swoon I did, by the way. Almost my size! But alas, probably still too narrow. Repeat to self- the shoes will be too narrow and you will not buy them. The shoes will be too narrow and you will not buy them..... I should go read a book now. lol

That's awesome! I sense Niagara is one of those places you can visit time and time again and discover new things to do and see with each journey there. I hope to catch up to you on the visit count front one day - or at the least, to visit again at least once when it's not -30C out! :)

I hope you can track down all the books that caught your eye here. I've added some to my own reading list, too, since putting this post together.

I hear you on the show front! My feet fall right on the cusp of average and a little wide, so anything that calls itself "narrow" is almost certain to never fit my dogs comfortably in the slightest. Tempting though for sure, as some such pairs are. (Ooooh, the things we endure in the name of fashion!)

Your honeymoon series is really tickling me right now. My boyfriend and I actually just had a big talk this weekend, and we're... well, not engaged, exactly, but in a couple of months we're planning on taking that step. I always thought that marriage wasn't going to be a thing for me, so I never did the wedding planning thing that a lot of little girls do, or thought about where I'd want to go for my honeymoon. I love the idea of a nostalgic honeymoon, since we're both really into history and vintage clothing, but who knows what we'll end up doing.

i love these posts! Niagara Falls; definitely a place i'd LOVE to visit. i just adore all the old graphics and drawings on the travel posters. and that scarf... so sassy!i do hope that someday i'll be able to visit your beautiful Canada.-Abigail

I've enjoyed every bit of this series. I love to read and discover more about other countries and I was especially excited to read about this one, because when I was little there was a television programme that used to show great places in the world, especially natural wonders. Back then, Niagara caught my imagination more than any other. I was just desperate to go on the Maid of the Mist! (My second favourite was Iceland with the geysers - I obviously had a thing about water!). I had pretty much forgotten about those childhood dreams until now. What a lovely reminder, thank you!

Thank you very much, sweet Philippa. I've greatly enjoyed bringing to my readers. They were each a lot of work (some of the most labour intensive posts I've written, with each taking at least three days from start to finish to put together), but such joy at the same time. I learned much more than I knew before I started writing them about all four destinations, even the two I'd been to, and have added further fuel to the fires of my wanderlust.

I'm touched to know that this final segment in the series stirred up lovely childhood memories for you and though I know all too well how challenging travel, let alone international travel, can be for both of us, I will hold out hope that perhaps someday, somehow you can see Niagara Falls in person and finally take a spin on the Maid of Mist.

Jessica, my cousin and her hubby went to Niagara Falls for their 20th wedding anniversary which was sometime during this past year. Between your info and her photos I want to go too! It's such a beautiful place and it seems like it would be a nice family vacation too.

Thanks for all the research. My favorite photo is the last. I bet the modern equivalent is the same view with updated cars and clothing.

Thank you for writing this very interesting series, dear. I have loved reading through all four, and especially love this one. I would really love to go to Canada, visit the only family member I have left over there, Niagara and perhaps even you. :) And I have to say, as an MM fan, that the movie Niagara is one of my favourite Marilyn movies. I think she is extremely beautiful and doing such a great job in that movie. Wishing you a lovely day, dear. :)

Jessica, this is SUCH a fun post to read! My family visited Niagara Falls when I was in high school, and I was truly awestruck by the Falls themselves. It is no wonder they're such a draw to people the world over, and they really are a fine spot for honeymooners. Do quite as many people honeymoon there as used to? I'd love to go back (Hubby is peering over my shoulder as I read, so perhaps this shall work out) some day. The Canadian side is, I must say, really marvellous. We had more fun there than on the side of our native land!

It also made me chuckle that you posted a photo of the Museum. Thanks to my love for history, we visited during our trip despite my misgivings upon seeing the shoddily dusted state of the exhibit beside the ticket-taker. Those misgivings proved to be correct, though there were some interesting exhibits.

The most fascinating of all, though, was a (dusty, of course—no housekeeping?!) crumbling old mummy on the Egyptian artifacts floor. He was removed from his sarcophagus, just...lying there in a wood-and-glass case, his arms crossed high on his chest just below an undeniably noble-looking profile, and was just really intriguing—though I suppose all ancient Egyptian mummies would be just that to most folks (FWIW, Mom and Dad could not get us out of there fast enough).

Wouldn't you know it, but just a few years after our visit, that rather disrespected mummy was found to be none other than Ramesses I?

It's not every day a gal is face-to-face with the founder of a dynasty! As if Niagara wasn't cool enough on its own!

Anyhow. I really must get back, and this is quite the enticement. ;) I hope you're able to do so as well, preferably during balmier weather!

I really like the outfit that you have chosen to go with this post, especially all the well thought out, themed and co-ordinated accessories. I would love to visit the Niagara Falls one day, they must be a truly spectacular sight. I have really enjoyed learning more about the places you have featured as honeymoon destinations.

I have never been to Niagara falls… i guess when we took the bus to Montreal from NYC we were quite close.Even thought i do not have a "list" of things to do, it is in the back of my mind as a place I would love to go to. In the meantime I'll have to settle with the tshirt my mom got me when she went ;)

i'd say it was a good ten years ago that dad heard he had to travel for his work and the destination was niagra falls. we all figured it was the new york side, but he was surprised to have found out it was your canadian side!! he really liked it and brought mom, my sister, and i wonderful souvenirs back.

You're very welcome! Though I have not had the pleasure of trying them yet myself, your products look fantastic and were the perfect fit for this particular post. Goodness, though, it's hard to believe how many months have passed since it went live though. 2014 was such a speedy year!

Thank you very much for commenting. It's a pleasure to connect with you!

I'm Jessica, a lifelong lover of all things antique and vintage, especially those from the 1930s, 40s and 50s.

This blog is my visual scrapbook in which I record and share my thoughts on the multitude of sources, people and products that inspire and feed a modern gal's addiction to the past. I also post about the vintage clothes, hairstyles and make-up looks that I adore wearing.

Stay a spell and have a blast as we explore the incomparably fantastic world of vintage history and fashion together.

All images used on this site are credited to their original posters/creators/sources,
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PS...I just wanted to say thank you very much for visiting and to tell you that you're equal parts awesome and beautiful.